9 Tomato Growing Myths That Waste Your Time (and What to Do Instead)

If you have ever tried to grow tomatoes, you know they come with a side of advice—some helpful, some downright bizarre. From tossing crushed eggshells into the soil to stripping leaves off the plant, there is no shortage of gardening “secrets” floating around. The problem? A lot of these so-called tips are just myths that waste your time and, in some cases, actually harm your plants.

The truth is, tomatoes are not as high-maintenance as many people believe. They need the right balance of sunlight, consistent watering, and healthy soil—not a collection of old wives’ tales. If you want to grow delicious, juicy tomatoes without falling for gardening folklore, it is time to separate fact from fiction. Here are nine of the most common tomato-growing myths that can throw you off track, plus what you should really be doing instead.

1. Removing Green Leaves Helps Tomatoes Ripen Faster

One of the most common myths is that stripping leaves off your tomato plants will help the fruit ripen more quickly. The idea is that if the fruit gets more sun, it will turn red faster. Unfortunately, this is not how ripening works.

Tomatoes ripen thanks to internal plant hormones, not extra sunlight hitting the fruit. In fact, removing too many leaves can do more harm than good. Leaves are what feed the plant through photosynthesis, and without them, your fruit may lose flavor. Plus, bare tomatoes are more vulnerable to sunscald, which causes pale, leathery patches. The best approach is to leave healthy leaves alone and only remove ones that are yellowing or diseased. Your tomatoes will ripen in their own time, and they will taste better for it.

2. Tomato Flowers Need to Be Tickled to Set Fruit

You might have heard gardeners suggest “tickling” or shaking tomato blossoms to help them set fruit. While this may sound quirky and even a little fun, it is not necessary if your tomatoes are growing outside.

Tomatoes are self-pollinating, which means they have both male and female parts within the same flower. In nature, wind and pollinators like bees handle the job of moving pollen around. Unless you are growing tomatoes in a greenhouse with no airflow or pollinators, you can save yourself the trouble. Outdoors, nature does the pollinating work for you.

3. Tomatoes Need Direct Sunlight on the Fruit to Ripen

It seems logical to think that if the sun shines directly on the fruit, it will ripen faster. But tomatoes do not ripen because of sunlight—they ripen because of temperature and a plant hormone called ethylene.

Shaded fruit will ripen just as well as fruit in direct sun. In fact, direct sunlight can actually cause problems, like overheating or scalding the fruit. So do not worry about rearranging leaves to expose tomatoes to the sun. Let the plant’s natural process work, and you will get beautiful, ripe fruit without risking damage.

4. Pruning Suckers Always Leads to Bigger Harvests

If you spend any time around gardeners, you have probably heard debates about whether or not to prune tomato suckers—the small shoots that sprout between the main stem and a branch. Some gardeners swear by removing them to boost harvests.

The truth? It depends on your goals. Pruning can help control the plant’s size and shape, which is useful in smaller gardens or when growing in containers. But leaving a few suckers on the plant is not going to ruin your harvest. In fact, unpruned plants often produce more fruit overall, although it may take longer for them to ripen. So while pruning is a helpful tool, it is not a magic formula for bigger harvests.

5. Blossom End Rot Is Always Caused by Calcium Deficiency

Few things are more disappointing than seeing a brown, sunken spot on the bottom of a tomato. Many gardeners assume this problem, called blossom end rot, is caused by a lack of calcium in the soil. This has led to all kinds of unusual remedies, like tossing crushed eggshells or even antacid tablets into the dirt.

In reality, blossom end rot is usually caused by inconsistent watering. Calcium is likely already in your soil, but your plant cannot absorb it properly if it goes through cycles of being too dry and then too wet. The solution is to keep the soil moisture steady. Water deeply and regularly, especially during hot spells, and consider using mulch to lock in moisture. Forget the eggshells—focus on consistency.

6. Tomatoes Must Ripen Fully on the Vine for the Best Flavor

It is a romantic image: a tomato ripening to perfection on the vine, ready to be plucked and eaten under the summer sun. But here is the truth—tomatoes do not have to ripen completely on the plant to taste great.

Picking tomatoes at the “breaker stage,” when they are starting to blush but not fully red, is actually smart. They will continue to ripen indoors just as well, thanks to ethylene gas. Harvesting early also helps you avoid losses from pests, weather, or fruit cracking. So if you have ever hesitated to bring in a not-quite-ripe tomato, go ahead. Let it finish on your counter—it will taste just as sweet and juicy.

7. Refrigerating Ripe Tomatoes Ruins Their Flavor

Many gardeners are taught never to refrigerate tomatoes because cold temperatures supposedly zap their flavor. While it is true that chilling underripe tomatoes can affect texture and taste, refrigeration is not the villain it is made out to be.

Once your tomatoes are fully ripe, refrigeration can actually help preserve their quality for a few extra days. If you leave them at room temperature, they will continue to soften and may spoil more quickly. If you prefer the flavor of warm tomatoes, just take them out of the fridge and let them come back to room temperature before eating. You get the best of both worlds: flavor and freshness.

8. Tomatoes Need Tons of Water to Grow Well

Because tomatoes are juicy, many people assume they need a constant flood of water. But giving them too much water is just as bad as too little. Overwatering can cause cracked, mushy fruit and stress the plant’s roots.

Tomatoes thrive on consistent but moderate watering. The key is to water deeply so moisture reaches the roots, then allow the top inch or two of soil to dry before watering again. In containers, check daily, since pots dry out faster. With the right balance, your tomatoes will be firm, flavorful, and far less prone to disease.

9. Adding Gravel to the Bottom of Pots Improves Drainage

This old tip has been repeated for generations: put gravel or pottery shards at the bottom of your pot to improve drainage. It seems logical, but science says otherwise.

Instead of improving drainage, gravel actually creates a layer where water collects, leading to soggy soil right above it. This can suffocate roots and encourage rot. The better approach is to use a high-quality potting mix that drains well and make sure your container has holes at the bottom. Skip the gravel—it is a myth that can do more harm than good.

Final Thoughts

Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding crops you can grow, but they also attract more myths than just about any other plant. From egg shells to pruning debates, it is easy to waste time chasing advice that does not make much difference—or worse, actually harms your plants.

The good news is that tomatoes are resilient and forgiving. They do not need gimmicks or garden hacks to thrive. What they really want is the simple stuff: consistent watering, healthy soil, and enough space to grow.

So the next time you hear a too-good-to-be-true tomato tip, remember—your plants are better off without the fuss. Trust the basics, let nature do its job, and enjoy the satisfaction of that first ripe, homegrown tomato on your plate. After all, gardening should be more about joy and flavor than frustration and folklore.